Display device



June 14, 1938. D. R. BAKER ET AL 2,120,307

DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Aug. 21, 1955 2 Shets-Sheet 1 @Ziz INVENTOR Donald H. Bake). Hang/ F. Nordmark.

ATYTORN EY June 14, 1938. R BAKER H M 2,120,307

DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Aug. 21, i935 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Donald Rflahen Henry 1. Horamark BY (YB ATTZRNEY Patented June 14, 1938 DISPLAY DEVICE Donald R. Baker, New York, N. Y., and Henry P. Nordmark, Grand Rapids, Mich., assignors to Kay Displays, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August 21, 1935, Serial No. 37,144

3 Claims.

The invention relates to rotary display devices, and more particularly to new and improved actuating means therefore.

One object of the invention resides in the provision of a device of the character described embodying actuating means of high mechanical efficiency, low manufacturing cost and ready adaptability to display devices of varying sizes and operating characteristics.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an actuator comprising a unitary structure including a prime mover, and an associated driving-connection adapted to communicate movement from the prime mover to a display device, the prime mover and driving-connection unit, being adapted for ready attachment to a display device.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a frictional driving-connection between a prime mover and a display device, adapted to utilize the resistance to movement of the device to augment the frictional coefficient between the driving-connection and device.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which has been selected for illustration in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood however, that many changes in form, construction and arrangement, may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as expressed in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings; Figure 1 is a plan view of a display device embodying a preferred form of the invention, the display platform or turntable being removed to better illustrate the actuating mechanism therefor.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the device shownin Fig. 1, the turntable occupying its operative position and being partially broken away.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the unitary prime mover and driving connection shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of part of the driving connection of Figs. 1 1504 inclusive.

Figure 6 is an elevational view of an alternative form of actuating mechanism.

In the drawings, the invention is shown as applied to a rotary display device consisting of a turntable I 0, supported for rotary movement in a horizontal plane spaced above a base H. The turntable, as illustrated, is circular in contour, its

surface being reinforced by an underlying plate I2 which additionally functions as a mounting for an axial, and normally depending spindle l3.

The spindle I3 is rigidly maintained in fixed relation with respect to the turntable, by a plurality of brackets M, which engage the spindle intermediate its ends and extend radially outwardly, and upwardly, to points of attachment to the under surface of the plate. The lower end of the spindle is adapted to be received in a step bearing 15, secured to the base I I, and a bearing bracket !6. likewise fixed to the base, and formed with a laterally extending bearing lug ll, serves to journal the spindle for rotation on a vertical axis. A circumferential apron I8, is secured to the periphery of the turntable and projects downwardly therefrom into proximity to the surface of the base to shield the latter from View.

A preferred form of actuator, comprising a unitary prime mover and driving-connection, is shown as applied to a display device in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the same unit being illustrated in a detached, enlarged perspective view in Fig. 4. The unit comprises generally, a prime mover H, a driving-connection 20, a prime mover control switch 2|, and a common supporting frame 22. The prime mover, in this embodiment of the invention, consists of an electro-magnet 23, the magnetic field of which acts upon an armature 24, pivoted adjacent one of its ends to similar upstanding ears 25, formed on the frame 22. The free end of the armature is operatively connected to a flywheel 26, by means of a link 21. The flywheel 26 is fixed to a shaft 28 journaled in a vertical extension 29 of the frame.

Referring now to Fig. 5, a spur gear 30 is nonrotatably secured to shaft 28 intermediate the flywheel 26 and frame extension 29, and constitutes the driving member of a gear train 30, 3| and 32. The gears 3|, 32 are carried on stub shafts 33, 34, journaled. in the side walls of a gear case 35, which in turn is operatively supported on shaft 28. The shaft 34 proiects externally of the side wall of the gear case to receive a friction wheel 36 which is rigidly secured thereto. It will be seen that the gear case constitutes in effeet, and is adapted to function a lever arm pivoted on shaft 28 and that its angular movement is accomplished without disturbing the driving connection between the shaft and friction wheel 36. The gear case is normally urged in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 2 and 4, by means of a counterweight 31, carried on an arm 38 secured to the gear case and projecting radially of shaft 28 in a direction opposite from the case. Thus the friction wheel 36 is yieldably urged into driving engagement with a peripheral track 39, defined by a downwardly dished section of the plate 12.

It will be observed that the track 39 is of substantial radial width so that the actuating unit may be attached to the base II, by means of a laterally extending frame flange 22a, through a wide range of distances from the rotary axis of the turntable, thus permitting operation of the turntable through a comparatively wide range of speeds, with a single speed actuator.

In addition to the functions previously enumerated, the shaft 28 operates to control a flow of current to the electro-magnet 23. To this end the shaft is fitted with a cam 40, arranged to engage one arm 4|, of the switch 2| which is supported by, and insulated from, the frame 22. A second arm 43 of the switch 2!, likewise sup ported by, and insulated from the frame 22, is provided with a contact point arranged to coact with a similar contact on the arm 4l, so that rotation of the shaft 28 will intermittently cause the respective contact points of the switch arms 4| and 43 to abut, thereby permitting a flow of current from a source of electrical energy to one terminal of the electro-magnet.

In the present embodiment of the invention it is contemplated that dry cell batteries will be utilized as a source of electrical energy, but it will be understood that an external supply of current might likewise be employed. Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, dry cell batteries 44, are supported upon the base II, and shielded therefrom by trays 45, adapted to prevent such electrolyte as may leak from the batteries from injuring the base.

The batteries in this instance are connected in parallel, one with the other, by means of conductors 45 and 41, and a conductor 48 establishes a circuit between the negative poles of the batteries and one terminal of the electro-magnet.

A conductor 49, master switch 50, conductor switch arms 4| and 43 of switch 2|, and conductor 52, complete the circuit from the positive poles of the batteries to the electro-magnet.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the arrow 53 indicates the direction of rotation of the friction wheel 36 which, from an examination of Fig. 2, will be seen to have the effect of rotating the turntable in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1.

Reverting again to Fig. 2, it will be apparent that the inertia, and frictional resistance to movement of the turntable, will give rise to an opposed force of equal magnitude to that exercised by the friction wheel at its point of contact with the turntable; since for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. This reacting force will be exerted tangentially of the friction wheel at the point of contact of the wheel with track 39, as indicated by arrow 54. By the application of well known principles of mechanics it will be seen that the force 54 will be resolved into two or more components, one of which will act normally of the longitudinal axis of lever arm 20 at the point of contact of friction wheel 35 with track 39. Thus by positioning the pivotal axis 28 of the lever arm defined by gear case 35 to the left, (as viewed in Fig. 2) of the point of contact of the driving wheel with its track; and then causing the driving wheel to rotate in a clockwise direction, the reacting force will tend to rotate the lever arm upwardly, thus augmenting the action of counterweight 31 and thereby increasing the frictional coeflicient between the driving wheel and its track.

The desired result may likewise be attained by reversing the above mentioned relative positions of the pivotal axis and driving Wheel, and causing the latter part to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction.

Generally stated, the invention comprehends any angular disposition of the lever arm, and any operating characteristic of the friction driving wheel, in which the resistance to movement of the turntable reacts in such a manner as to cause the lever arm to tend to move into engagement with the turntable, thus augmenting the frictional coefficient between the wheel and table.

With a view to economical construction and ease of maintenance, manual, rather than auto matic starting of the prime mover is contemplated, and in this connection the above discussed principle of reacting forces is again utilized. Referring again to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be obvious that manual rotation of the turntable, in the direction in which it is driven by the friction wheel 36, i. e. counter-clockwise; will exert a force opposite to force 54, at the point of contact of the track 39 with the friction wheel. Such a force will exercise a downward component on the lever arm 20 thus tending to diminish the coefficient of friction between the track and friction wheel. It has been found in practice that this effect is so marked as to frequently necessitate several successive manual movements of the turntable in a counter-clockwise direction before the prime mover is set in motion. As a consequence, after moving the master switch 50 to closed, or circuit making position, the turntable is preferably first rotated in a reverse direction, i. e, clockwise, the tangential force exerted on the friction wheel assuming the same direction as arrow 54 and thus having a component which tends to urge the friction wheel into driving engagement with its track, to effectively communicate movement to the prime mover. With the prime mover energized through rotation of shaft 28 and resultant actuation of switch 2 l, the flowing current will tend to reverse its direction of operation, whereupon, a slight assisting counterclockwise thrust, applied to the table, will immediately set the device in operation.

An alternative form of actuator is illustrated in Fig. 6 and consists generally of a rotary type motor 55 supported on an arm 56 of a bracket 51 pivoted at 57a on a pedestal 58. An arm 59 of bracket 57 carries a gear reduction unit 80 which serves to communicate rotary motion of the motor 55 to a friction wheel 6| adapted to engage the peripheral track 39. It will be observed that in this embodiment of the invention, the Weight of the motor functions to yieldably urge the friction wheel into engagement with the track. It will be understood that suitable electrical connections will be made to the driving motor, and that a self-contained source of electrical energy such as the batteries of Figs. 1. and 3, or an external supply of current may be employed. This construction, like that previously described, will be seen to comprise a unitary structure including a prime mover and an associated driving connection adapted to communicate movement from the prime mover to a display device.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a device of the character described, including a turntable, the combination of a unitary turntable actuator comprising a frame, a prime mover supported by said frame, a shaft journaled in said frame and operatively connected to said prime mover, a gear case pivotally mounted on said shaft, a gear train in said case arranged to be driven from said shaft, a friction driving wheel journaled adjacent the free end of said case for rotation on an axis parallel to said shaft and arranged to be driven by said gear train, a circuit connecting a source of electrical energy with said prime mover, a switch in said circuit arranged to be actuated by said shaft to control a flow of current to the prime mover, and means tending to rotate said case to yieldably urge said friction wheel into engagement with said turntable.

2. In a device of the character described, including a turntable, the combination of a turntable actuator comprising a frame, an arm pivoted on said frame for movement in a plane substantially normal to the plane of the surface of the turntable, a drive wheel operatively supported adjacent the free end of said arm on an axis substantially coincident with a radius of said table, a prime mover supported on said frame and arranged to drive said wheel, and means to yieldably urge said wheel into driving engagement with said table.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a turntable supported for rotary movement in a horizontal plane, a frame, a lever arm pivoted below said table on said frame and extending laterally and upwardly toward the table in a plane normal thereto to define an acute angle therewith, a friction wheel journaled adjacent the free end of said arm on an axis substantially coincident with a radius of said table for rotation in a plane parallel to the axis of said arm and normal to the plane of said table, yieldable means to maintain said wheel in frictional engagement with said table, and means on said frame to rotate said wheel in a direction to cause the resistance to movement of said table to exert a force tending to augment the action of said yieldable means.

DONALD R. BAKER. HENRY P. NORDMARK. 

